We are a Family Breeder of Multi-Generation Authentic Australian Labradoodles

Question: Should I allow my dog on the bed, couch and other furniture?

Some people think that dogs should not be allowed on the bed and sofa because it can cause aggression or other behavior issues. Is there really anything wrong with letting a dog lie on the bed, couch and other furniture?

Answer: In general, letting your dog on the furniture is not going to cause problems – behavioral or otherwise. Dogs love to curl up on the sofa, the bed, and anywhere else that’s nice and soft. They also like to spend time in their humans’ favorite spots. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide the rules of your household and stand firm.

Behavioral Effects

Allowing dogs on the furniture will not necessarily make them believe they are in charge. It will not suddenly cause aggression or dominance. However, if you inadvertently reinforce certain behaviors, you will be sending the wrong message. Any dog that growls or snaps at you when you try to sit down should be removed from the furniture. If your dog refuses to move when you approach, he should be removed. Finally, if your dog “hogs” the bed or sofa, leaving no room for you, he should be removed. Making the furniture off-limits can be a temporary or permanent arrangement, depending on your preference.

Health and Safety Concerns

Many owners prefer to keep their dogs off the furniture because of the mess (e.g., hair, dirt and debris). Taking this a step further, some people are concerned about the potential for the spread of disease. There are a handful of diseases that are considered zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans from animals. A few examples include Rabies, parasitic infections, fungal infections and even plague. However, if you keep your dog healthy, the risk is very minimal. Whether you allow your dog on the furniture or not, all dogs should visit the vet every 6-12 months for an overall wellness check-up. A dog that has been vaccinated, is kept free of fleas, and is regularly checked and/or treated for parasites poses very little threat. You can minimize the amount of outdoor germs and debris your dog brings in the house by wiping the paws, spot-cleaning as needed, and occasional bathing.

Keeping Your Dog Off the Furniture

Even a dog that is allowed on the furniture should have his own special spot, such as a dog bed and/or a crate.

To keep your dog from getting on furniture, some basic training is necessary. Begin by teaching your dog the off command. Next, he should be taught the go to your place command. If your dog tries to jump on the bed or sofa, simply say “off” followed by “go to your place”. Reward him when he complies. It is equally important to be sure your dog does not have access to the furniture while you are away. This is where crate training becomes helpful. While you are gone, keep your dog in the crate or confined in a small room away from the forbidden furniture.

After successful training, you may choose to conditionally allow your dog on the bed or couch. However, he will need to earn it. After all, it is a privilege – not a right. Before jumping on the furniture, your dog should be made to sit. Once he has obeyed one or more commands of your choosing, you can pat the couch or bed, allowing him up. If he oversteps the boundaries, he will need to get off the furniture. You must be consistent for this to be affective, otherwise, your dog cannot understand what you are asking of him.

Some owners prefer to keep their dogs off the furniture as a household rule. This might be for the purpose of cleanliness, to prevent damage, or for other reasons. As long as he has his own spot, he will be just fine. Be sure everyone in the household understands and enforces the rules. Inconsistency will confuse your dog and make the training process very difficult.

Rate this:

The great big world seems even bigger to brand-new puppies. You can help your pup learn to be brave and friendly by proper socializing him to new people, places, and experiences.

VaccinationsAlthough it is vital that you take your puppy out to experience the world, you must wait until he is fully vaccinated to get him out and about. There are lots of dangerous and even deadly diseases that your dog can pick up from other dogs, and even from the ground they walk on.

Safe VisitsSince your not-yet vaccinated puppy really shouldn’t go out into the world until he is vaccinated, you can bring a little of the world in to him. Invite friends, especially friends with well-behaved children, over to play nicely with your pup. These initial interactions with strangers will help to form your puppy’s future feelings about meeting people who aren’t family. Just make sure visitors wash their hands thoroughly before playing with your unvaccinated puppy. Also, make sure visitors leave their shoes by the door. Diseases like parvo or kennel cough can be carried in from the ground on people’s shoes.

Play, Play, PlaySpend LOTS of time playing with your puppy. This is your chance to cement your relationship with your pooch from day one. Show your dog you are calm, assertive, and loving from the very start and you’ll be in good shape. Remember to discourage any behavior you don’t want your dog to display from the very first time. Puppies nipping at your hands may seem harmless, but if you encourage it, or let it continue happen, you may end up with a nipping adult dog, and that isn’t so cute.

RewardsFigure out what motivates your pup. Some pups are most motivated by food, some by toys, and others by affection. Once you know what really gets your pup excited, use it to praise him for calm, submissive behavior in every new situation. Give him lots and lots of verbal praise every time he approaches a new situation without fear.

Different PeopleOnce your puppy is fully-vaccinated, take him out to lots of dog-friendly places, and introduce him to people. Make sure he gets to meet lots of different people. Try to let him meet men, women, tall people, short people, people with facial hair, and people with different colored skin. This will help your pup be friendly with strangers and avoid aggression out of fear.

Different AgesLet your pup meet both adults and children. Children and adults generally have a very different manner around animals. Children tend to have less respect for boundaries; they tend to move more erratically, and are often louder.

Different AnimalsIt is a good idea to introduce your dog to different animals as well. Dogs who are made familiar with animals like cats, ferrets or rabbits as puppies tend to have less prey drive. This means they will be less likely to chase or attack the family bunny or the neighbor’s cat

Vet VisitsHelp your dog get comfortable with going to the vet by taking him for visits when he isn’t getting poked or prodded. Give his favorite treat or toy to an employee and let them play with and reward him. If he thinks the vet is a fun place where he will receive praise, he will be a lot less likely to fear it.

Rate this:

Housetraining

The first step in training any puppy, no matter his age, is to establish house rules by housetraining him. Both the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommend taking a new puppy outside at least every two hours for at least the first few months after he’s been adopted. A puppy’s bladder is small and needs to be emptied much more frequently than an adult dog’s bladder. Because of this, puppies should be walked immediately after they wake up, eat or drink. Without having instant access to an outdoor toilet, they will certainly go potty indoors. Housetraining a puppy successfully can take weeks or months and usually depends on the dog’s personality and intelligence.

Showing Leadership

It’s common for dog trainers to tell owners that their dogs will never obey commands unless the dog being trained sees the person giving the command in a dominant position. When dominance training includes physical punishment or verbal abuse, especially with young puppies, the dogs being trained can quickly develop anxiety and phobias as a result. A more gentle way owners can establish leadership is by turning their backs and ignoring the puppy anytime he misbehaves, such as jumping on visitors, biting or barking. If the behavior continues, a trainer will usually put the puppy in a quiet room alone with a chew toy so he doesn’t get overly bored or destructive. After ten minutes, the dog is released. This method teaches puppies which behaviors are not allowed in their home.

Controlling Diet

Owners and trainers help teach pets who’s the boss by feeding puppies on a schedule. A key rule when training a puppy is to never leave a bowl of food down for the puppy to eat on all day. Instead, owners make sure they are at home every time their puppies are fed and that they immediately take the dogs for a walk afterward. When training a puppy, an owner should also hand feed him for several weeks. If the puppy acts aggressive or growls while eating, it is common practice to immediately take the food away, wait five minutes and try hand feeding the dog again. Feeding on a schedule or hand feeding a puppy teaches the puppy who controls his food.

Praise

It is important for owners of young puppies to show patience and remember that accidents do and will happen. Constantly scolding a puppy runs the risk of turning him into a timid and nervous pet, according to tips provided by the Humane Society of the United States. Dogs develop their behaviors based on what is expected of them, and praising a puppy helps teach him what behavior is expected. Whenever a puppy does something a trainer wants, the trainer will pet him, call him a good boy and give him a tasty treat or playtime with a favorite toy.

Socialization

Owners can socialize a puppy by taking him to a dog park or arranging a play date with a friend’s dog soon after adoption. This is critical to his behavioral development. Properly socializing a 7-week-old puppy helps him learn social hierarchy and understand who his master is. It can also help prevent puppies from growing into nervous and anxious canines.

Rate this:

You’ve finally gotten that family pet that you and your children have always wanted. A pet can be a wonderful experience for children, teaching them about responsibility, love and how to care for another living thing. But it can take some work from you to teach children how to care for pets.

You may want to make a pet care chart in order to keep track of your child’s responsibilities.

Instructions

Talk to your child about their responsibilities regarding the pet. Decide with your child what your child’s chores will be when caring for the pet. Be willing to negotiate and compromise. Perhaps you will take care of cleaning up after the pet, if your children take care of feeding and watering the pet.

Make sure your children’s chores are age appropriate. A 5-year-old child may be able to help you clean a hamster cage, but they won’t be able to do it on their own.

Make up a pet care chart that clearly explains your child’s chores. Whenever your children take care of a chore, check off a box or put a sticker on the chore chart. Give them a prize, such as a movie out or a pizza night whenever they get a certain amount of stickers or checks.

Teach children the benefits of having pets. Not only should they have the responsibilities associated with pets, but they should have the joys too. Teach young children how to pet dogs and cats and show them how to hold smaller animals such as guinea pigs and hamsters. Teach children to be gentle around the pet so your pet doesn’t fear your child. Allow children to feed, train, give treats and play with the pets so your pets become bonded to the children and not only to you.

Expect to remind your children of their responsibilities in caring for the pet. In a perfect world, you would not have to remind your children over and over again to do their chores, but children need the repetition. Expect to have to remind them, but don’t expect to have to do the chore yourself, unless your children are very young.

Tips & Warnings

A pet that has gone through some training will be easier for your child to care for.

If a pet becomes aggressive with a child, separate your child from the pet.

Rate this:

We all love our pets, but we aren’t nearly so fond of the smelliness of our furry friends. Early detection is the best way to remove pet odor from your home–this will give you enough time to remove the odor before it becomes a permanent fixture.

Instructions

1. Find the mess. Use your eyes and nose to find the stains that you are trying to remove. You can use a black light to illuminate the stains you may not otherwise find. Lightly outline the invisible stain with a piece of chalk.

2. Use a pet stain and odor removal product to get rid of the stain. Be sure that it contains a biological odor eliminator so that it breaks down the stain. Do a spot test first on carpet or upholstery in an inconspicuous place to insure that there won’t be discoloration.

3. Remove stains. If the stain is fresh, put paper towels down and press into the stain, absorbing as much moisture as possible, until it feels almost dry to the touch. Follow the directions on and use the stain removal product to get the stain and odor out.

4. Use a wet/dry vacuum if necessary. If there are a number of old stains or you are having difficulty getting out with the stain and odor remover, use a wet/dry vacuum with clean water to thoroughly clean and rinse both the carpet and the pad underneath. Avoid steam cleaning as it will permanently set the stain.

5. Wash pet bedding and any textiles in the areas where your pet spends the most time. Use detergent and some baking soda to remove any remaining pet odor.

6. Use carpet deodorizer when you vacuum and use a fabric refreshing spray on upholstery and carpet once you have cleaned it thoroughly to keep it smelling fresh.

Rate this:

Braided fleece dog leashes are soft to the touch and allow your pet to tug or pull with less discomfort to his neck. Fleece stretches slightly to absorb shock as a dog pulls forward on a leash. This results in less stress on his collar and your hands and arms as you walk or train your pet. Braiding the fleece strips together adds strength to the leash.

Things You’ll Need

2 yards fleece material

Tape measure

Pencil

Scissors

Metal swivel snap

1 foot twine

Colored duct tape

Instructions

Lay the fleece material out on a flat surface. Measure 2 inches from the edge on one short side of the material and mark it with a pencil. Open a tape measure and extend the tip across the length of material. Lock the tape measure and set it down on the material at the 2-inch marking. Place a pencil next to the tape measure and draw a line down the 2-yard length of material. Cut the 2-yard by 2-inch wide strip of fabric with scissors. Repeat this step to cut two additional strips of fabric in the same size.

2. Hold the metal swivel snap in one hand. Fold one strip of fleece in half lengthwise. Hold the fold behind the swivel snap eye in a loop and thread both ends through the loop. Pull both ends tightly to form a lark’s head knot. Repeat this to attach the additional two strips. You will end up with three sets of two pieces of material hanging from the swivel snap.

3. Anchor the swivel snap to a solid surface by clipping it to an object or use duct tape to hold it steady. Grasp the left set of two strips and cross them over the center set of two. Grasp the right set of two strips and cross them over the center set of two to form a braid. Continue this sequence until you have 2 inches of non-braided material. Keep tension on the fabric as you braid.

4. Make a loop in the unbraided material with all six strands. Pass the loose ends through the loop and pull all the loose ends tight to tie a knot securing them in place.

5. Cut a 1-foot length of twine with scissors. Hold the knot on the end of the leash next to the length of leash to form a loop about 6 inches around for the handle. Place one end of the twine about 2 inches below the knot on the leash portion and hold it in place with one hand. Use your other hand to twist the twine in a circular motion over the leash, the leash and handle junction and about 2 inches past the knot. Loop the loose end of the twine through the second to last revolution around the leash and pull it tight. Cut off any excess length.

6. Cut a strip of colored duct tape about 6 inches long. Wrap the tape tightly around the twine to cover it from sight and secure the handle.

Tips & Warnings

Choose your swivel clip size according to the size and weight of your pets. Large dogs that tug harder will need a larger swivel clip for strength.

Use three different colors of fleece for a variation in style.

You can use a permanent glue to attach the handle to the leash length if you have a smaller dog that doesn’t tug hard.

Rate this:

Driving can be stressful enough, but if you have a high-strung dog pacing from side to side in the backseat, or — heaven forbid — hiding under your seat or crawling around under your pedals, you have a real safety hazard on your hands. Unless a pup is well-socialized for car rides, even a brief trip can be an anxiety-filled experience. Keeping a hyper dog calm in the car takes patience, some common sense and desensitization, but the reward of being able to travel with your pet is worth it.

Secure the Dog

A dog who is hyper or anxious should never ride unrestrained in the car. Place your dog in a crate secured by the seat belts in the car, or fasten her into a crash-test certified dog restraint harness. Dogs are den animals; they often feel most secure enclosed inside a crate. Resting comfortably in her bed inside a crate that is covered with a towel may be just the thing to alleviate her anxiety. Lisa Peterson of The American Kennel Club advises to place the crate in the middle seat and row of the car — as opposed to the very back of an SUV — and have the dog facing forward to expose her to less movement and minimize motion sickness.

Desensitization

This approach will take time and dedication on your part, but can go a long way with pets who are afraid, uncomfortable or anxious in the car. Start by putting the dog in the car with you for several minutes each day; you don’t even have to turn the car on or drive away. Sit quietly and calmly with the dog, stroking her coat and offering lots of praise; then return her to the house. After doing this for several days, the ASPCA suggests introducing short rides for a couple of days, once or twice a day, always remaining calm and quiet while giving your dog praise. If the dog doesn’t exhibit signs of anxiety — panting, drooling, trembling or whining, try a five-minute drive in your own familiar neighborhood and slowly work up to longer drives.

Take Your Dog to Fun Places

If you only put your dog into the car to take her to the vet, you can imagine how she might associate fear with riding in the car. Alleviate this by making sure the majority of your car trips together are somewhere fun, like a visit with your friends, a puppy play date or a trip to the park, even if it’s just located down the street. Bring her along to pet stores and other establishments that allow dogs. Make it a happy time and she’ll come to associate a car ride with pleasure, not anxiety.

Diversionary Tactics

An exercised and tired dog is less likely to be anxious in the car. If you are taking your pet on a road trip, provide lots of stimulation before you go. Take her favorite ball or toy, and stop frequently to give your dog time to stretch her legs, potty, drink water and get some quick playtime in if possible. Give your dog a complicated treat that she has to work at to eat, such as a rubber toy stuffed with peanut butter or cheese. For severe anxiety or for carsickness, ask your veterinarian for advice. He may recommend an herbal calming agent or medication to treat the dog for motion sickness.

Rate this:

Your well-behaved dog may growl at you for various reasons. A dog growls to provide a warning that something is wrong or to show that he thinks he is in charge. When you know your dog loves you, a random, uncommon growl toward you can startle you. Before you become afraid of your best friend, it is always good to find out what caused the growl in the first place. To prevent growls from turning into something worse, such as a bite or an attack, give your dog proper training to prevent such events from happening.

Food

When you place, or drop, food in front of your dog, the excitement and opportunity to eat can be overwhelming to the dog. Your dog may let out a growl if you attempted to take the food away or if you get too close to it. If your dog is eating around other dogs, a growl can be common, as the dog likely is warning that he will not share with the other dogs. If a growl is directed toward you, it may be startling if the dog has never growled at you before, especially in this situation. Consider a few things before forming a fear. Was it a new type of food, a treat, a bone, something that fell off the counter that the dog knows he should not be eating? Situations like that may cause a growl. If your dog is eating out of his bowl and growls at you for simply walking by, then you may need to hire a trainer, or train the dog yourself, to nip that behavior right away to prevent a bite from happening.

Jealousy

If your dog becomes jealous, a growl may arise. If you are playing with, or petting, another dog, your dog may see that as unfair, or upsetting, which will cause the growl toward you or the other dog. Your dog may get jealous of another dog around you, especially if you have not socialized your dog with other dogs. Start training to prevent the growl from escalating to a bite or attack.

Health

When your normally well-behaved dog growls at you while you are petting him, there may be a health issue causing the growl. Pay attention to where you were petting your dog. Look for certain indications that an injury may be possible, such as if there is a cut or sore on the skin, the dog is limping or favoring a leg or if the area is swollen. Bring your dog to your veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice something may be wrong with your dog’s health. Your dog may also growl at you if you are attempting to clean a wound or administer medication.

Scared

Dogs growl if they are scared or startled, just like a human may gasp or scream. If you sneak up on your dog, you may scare him and cause him to growl at you. If the dog is unaware that you are in the room or approaching him, the surprise may set off a growl as a warning that you startled the dog. If your dog is hard of hearing or losing his sight, you may need to try to let your dog know you are coming into the room by turning on a light or making noise like stomping your feet or talking to the dog.

Passing Away

An elderly dog may growl when it is close to his time to pass away. Your dog may not feel well due to old age or because he is getting weak. A growl may happen as a sign that the dog is dying and wants to be left alone. At this time it is up to you to decide if you want to let the passing happen naturally or to euthanize your dog. If the dog is not in pain, you may decide to let the passing happen on its own, but if the dog is uncomfortable or suffering, euthanasia may be a better choice for your dog.

Rate this:

A service animal is specifically trained to perform a service to a disabled person. A service animal is usually a dog and it is trained to serve and assist a person with everyday tasks. Service animals range from the familiar guide dog to help the visually impaired to a service animal that helps a mentally disturbed individual cope with daily life. Read on to learn how to train a service animal.

Socialize your service dog. A service dog must be able to socialize with people, animals and other environments and behave well in public whether indoors or out. Purchase whatever equipment may be necessary for the dog to wear. A guide dog for the blind wears a special harness, but many other service dogs don’t have special equipment except for a cape or sash that distinguishes it as a service dog. Train your dog to perform a service such as bringing you a needed item. Some pets have shown service dog aptitude by bringing their owner a needed medication and even the telephone in a crisis situation. Such animals can become working service dogs by expanding on these qualities by also including verbal commands, hand signals and other indicators to alert the animal when help is needed. Also, there are specific service dog training schools that can help by doing additional training or teaching you how to train your own animal. Take your animal-in-training out into the public to socialize him and get the animal used to other people and situations. There are equipment and patches available for the animal to wear that indicates he is in training as a service animal. A service animal can go anywhere his owner goes and prior arrangements are not necessary. Inform the public. When the animal is out in public others should not touch or talk to the service animal. Put a patch on the service animal’s vest that warns others not to touch, pet or talk to the animal because he is training. Use consistency and praise to train your service animal. Remember, if you are training your own service animal to do particular tasks for you, praise and reward him during the training sessions just as you would any animal you’re training. After he has graduated and become a service animal, these tasks become part of his everyday life. Just a brief thank you or a pat is all that is necessary after doing a service. Get help training your service dog. There are organizations that will help you train your own service dog as well. Contact one of the training schools in your area.

Be alert for a dog that has natural ability for service work. Sometimes a companion dog works out well with just some additional training specific to the service he will be performing. Then, of course, he will cease to be a companion dog and will be known as a service dog.

Sometimes it can take years to get a trained service dog so if you can train your own you can save valuable time.

Distinguish a service dog from a companion dog by reading the definition in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). If your dog does one thing for you and you are disabled as defined by the ADA, your dog is classified as a service dog. Certification is not required.